We’re off and running, Sweet Things! And 11,000 strong!!! Oh, how I pray that God will grant us the divine favor and indwelling power to keep it up month after month and finish 2013 in the multiple thousands. What joy He and we would have! For now, we take it step by step, one verse at a time. Don’t get caught up wondering how in the world you’re going to memorize 24 verses when you’re having a hard time memorizing the first one. That will sink your Scripture memory boat for sure.
I make you this promise based on my experience and the experience of many others: the more you memorize, the more you’ll get the hang of it. I was going to say that the more you memorize, the easier it gets but it’s not easy and that’s part of what makes it such a victory to celebrate with Jesus. I do believe I can tell you with confidence, however, that your tenth verse will very likely be easier to memorize than your first one. By that time, you’ve quit letting your nay-whining old nature tell you that you can’t do it and you shouldn’t have even tried. A big part of the battle in the first month is simply telling that self-destructive echo in our heads to shut its mouth. It’s replacing “I knew I couldn’t do it” with “Oh, yes I can. I can do all things through Christ.”
Persevere! Let’s not be quitters! God would rather us make it to the end of the year still stumbling over some words than throwing our hands up and quitting at the first imperfect recitation. Even if we don’t get our verses down perfectly, the pursuit itself is the very art of meditation. Nothing about it is a waste of time. Just think of how it helps to break the mental loop of rehearsed offenses. We’re going to be fixated on something. That’s how our minds often work. But we get to choose what.
So, right now say verse 1 out loud the very best you can.
Tremendous job. Now, let’s add our second one to it.
I totally love my verse this time around! It came up in my Scripture reading during my quiet time early Sunday morning. Here it goes:
Beth, Houston. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 ESV
Isn’t that fabulous? I’m choosing this verse specifically so that I can turn it into intercessory prayer. Mind you, I’m not “claiming” it like I’d be apt to do with a promise more clearly obvious under the New Covenant. I’m reluctant to claim the fulfillment of a promise made straight to Israel for myself or people in my world unless I know that we have a coinciding New Covenant promise. I’d have to see consistency to pray it as one fervently counting on it. Isaiah 54:13 carries obvious elements that are very consistent with the promises of Christ to us. He promised that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and He blatantly gave us His peace but where I’m asking God to do an Isaiah 54:13 work in my family is the emphasis on ALL my children. I want every single one of them to be students of Christ Jesus, to love His Word and His ways with a passion beyond the natural realm, and for His peace to be great upon them and contagious. If you’ll look in the Scripture’s context in Isaiah 54, especially in verses 11-17, you’ll see that V.13 is within the promises God made specifically to Israel and scheduled for fulfillment in a time yet to come. So, no, I’m not claiming it, so to speak, BUT, I am indeed asking for it. That’s fair game.
God is not obligated to say yes to promises like those in Isaiah 54 this side of His Kingdom’s full revelation but, as I persevere in prayer and faith, He will indeed hear me and I believe be pleased that I had the boldness to pray it. He is not blessed by our small, vision-bare petitions anyway. I’ve thought for a long time that God would rather hear His children voice outrageously large prayers of faith even if He has to say no on occasion than hear our pale, timid, tepid requests for things He’s already given us anyway. For instance, if we belong to Him in Christ, He is indeed going to “bless us” and “keep us.” So, I’m adding Isaiah 54:13 to my spiral and planning to reword it often into a request. I’m going to take the risk that He may indeed perform generational miracles with a family tree sprouted from the soil of disease and brokenness. Make us oaks of righteousness, Lord, for the display of Your splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)
This I know for sure: we often have not because we ask not. (James 4:2)
I love something else about Isaiah 54:13. I love that the word translated peace in English is the word “shalom” in Hebrew. The Hebrew word blows the doors off of our usual concept of peace. When I ask God for great peace to be upon my children, I have no interest in a trance-like state of passionless nirvana. I want God’s brand of peace: lively, vivacious. Here’s what the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament has to say about it:
“The general meaning behind the root š-l-m is of completion and fulfillment—of entering into a state of wholeness and unity, a restored relationship.”
It means to be intact, healthy, sound. It means wellness of soul. It conveys the idea of God prospering His child. He describes His peace like a river: moving and running. His peace is no pond. I read the verse first out of The NET Bible that sits open on my desk at home. Isaiah 54:13 is worded this way on its pages: “All your children will be followers of the LORD, and your children will enjoy great prosperity.” Right that moment I jotted the verse down in my journal and, under it, asked the Lord (with enough zeal to imprint it on the next page) to prosper my children and their children and their children and their children in the way that really matters: grant them lives that bear much fruit – I said MUCH FRUIT –Â for THIS is to our Father’s great glory. May they blatantly show themselves to be Christ’s disciples. (That’s John 15:8 and, if you haven’t memorized it yet, it is a must! Prioritize it early on in your year if God causes it to leap off the page with you.)Â With all my heart, I want God to use this lineage He is redeeming to prosper His Kingdom.
So I am really fired up about my verse for our next two weeks and hope to still be saying it and praying it for the next generations of this family line when I’m about to see Jesus. If you don’t already have a verse selected, you are welcome to share it and make it your own with Jesus. Choose any verse that He’s using to speak to you right now. Remember, that’s what will make it stick to your ribs. It needs to mean something to you!
Hit it, Girls! Remember! Only your names, cities, verses, references, and translations! You are stellar, Sisters. I love you so much.
Edited to add: Information on how to download your Android or iPhone application!
I know many of you have been asking if we are going to have an app this year for your smart phones, and we have both good news and bad news. The good news is YES, we ARE! We have created an app for both Android and iPhones. The bad news is, the Android app is ready for you, but if you would be so patient with us, we’ll have the iPhone app ready for you in about five or six days. Does that sound good?
So, excuse me while I get technical for just a minute!
For those of you that still have the old application on your phone (and this goes for both Android and iPhone users), you would most likely have received a notification about the availability of this new one, but if not, and you are currently using an android, simply click here to download the app. (This link is for Android users only.) Android users, if you’re having issues with this link (and it’s currently working fine on this end), you can search “Living Proof Ministries – Scripture Memory Team – 2013” in your phone under applications. (I have very little knowledge about Android phones, so forgive me if my wording is wrong.)
When the iPhone app is ready, I’ll update this post for those of you who would like to download it with all the instructions you’ll need. However, I do know upfront you’ll be able to find the app in the iTunes store via your phone or computer.
Once you have the application, it is very user friendly. You’ll be notified the 1st and 15th of every month with the new blog post that will land in your application (you will only be notified if you have turned on notifications for this specific app), you can share the post, and then you can also store your memory work in there. It will also act like your spiral. You may want to use both your spiral and the app to have on hand in case you lose one or the other!
I hope that helps! Doesn’t this make it so much more fun?
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Aly from Arlington
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“May God himself, the God of peace,sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV
Melisa-Waco, Texas
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Anne – Johnson City, TN
Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. [or “grape juice” – I’m a Baptist!]
Cassandra. Marienville, PA
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”- Ephesians 10:16 (NKJV)
WendyBrz, Fort Belvoir, VA
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6 (NLT)
Barbara – Johnson City, TN
1 Chronicles 29:12, KJV
Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Kayla
Winchester, KY
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV
Leah from Athens, GA
“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” Psalm 18:30 NKJV
Mary
Anacortes, WA
For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command. Psalm 33:8 NLT
Lindsay Dryer from Ozark, MO
“Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart.”
Luke 6:45
Julie, Algonquin, IL
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words The Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 NIV
Erin, Fort Worth, TX
All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13. (ESV)
Allison- Lubbock, TX.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
– Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Sara Jondahl, Russellville Arkansas
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 NKJV
Clara, Fort Worth, TX
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28. (NIV)
Robin, Springdale, Arkansas. Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Heidi from Tampa, FL: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead . . .” (Philippians 3:13, NIV).
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go.
Allison
Eau Claire, WI
“Watch yourselves so that you don’t lose what we have worked for, but you may receive a full reward.” 2John verse 8 CSB
Kathy, Bear Creek, NC
“For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” (Hebrews 3:14 NLT)
Marcia San Clemente, CA
And the LORD said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14 NET
Elizabeth from Bolivar, MO
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
Debbie, Jacksonville
Psalm 56:3-4 HCSB
When I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
Megan, Prattville, Al
I will sing of the Lord ’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. (Psalm 89:1 NIV)
Hebrews 13:5 NLT
don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. for God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Faithe from York, PA –2 Thessalonians 1:2 MSG “Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you’re to be.”
Rhonda, Bartlesville, OK
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
(Galatians 5:16 NIV)
Becki Larson, Battle Creek, MI
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1 John 2:5-6
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ( James 1: 26-27 NIV)
Larissa Simpson, Benbrook,TX
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower, The righteous runs into it and is safe” Proverbs 18:10 NASB
I will continually look to the Lord for help, for he willfree my feet from the enemy’s net.” Psalm 25:l5 NET
Donna from Angleton, Texas
May He grant you your hearts desire and fulfill your plans.
Psalm 20:4 ESV
Christa from AZ
Isaiah 54:4
New Living Translation (NLT)
“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.
You will no longer remember the shame of your youth
and the sorrows of widowhood (divorce).
Natalie, Louisiana
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 ESV)
Julia from Cincinnati, Ohio
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
Carrie – Boston
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of The Lord. Blessed are those who keep his testimonies who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong but walk in his ways.”
Psalm 119:1-3 ESV
Angie, Wilmington: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9(NLT)
Kelly Brooks, Long Beach, MS
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
Since, then, you have been raised in Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not earthly things Col 3:1-2 NIV
Philippians 4:8 NIV
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Tammy Bolles Lubbock Texas 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”
Vanessa; Tampa, FL
Psalm 34: 18 (NIV)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
I know this isn’t the format but I am desperate for prayers. My Uncle’s cancer came back. He only has a 7% chance to live and that is with him doing chemo treatments. Please pray for him and our family. We are brokenhearted.
Tina from Chesapeake, VA:
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 4:11(NIV)
Debbie-Hilliard Fl, Deut6:4– You shall love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might!!! ESV
James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2. NIV
Anderson, SC 2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. NIV
Tammie, St. Peters, MO
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23 NIV 1984)